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The exact number of candidates nominated by each constituency of Mahayuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi cannot be reconciled, as several parties have nominated two candidates in a particular seat.
The ruling Mahayuti (above) and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi entered the Maharashtra elections amid uncertainty and suspense. (Image: PTI/File)
With the deadline for nominations for the Maharashtra elections now closed, a rather bleak picture of the seat-sharing formula between the main parties in the two alliances – Mahayuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi – has finally emerged.
However, suspense and uncertainty remain as the number of candidates chosen by each constituency from the ruling and opposition alliances cannot be reconciled. This is because some parties have given nomination forms to two candidates in a particular seat when there is news of rebellion from the other.
Do the numbers show up?
Tuesday is the last day to submit nomination papers. A total of 7,995 candidates have submitted 10,905 nomination papers. Looking at the filing of nominations, the majority of the assembly constituencies will have a fierce election battle.
According to the latest tally, the BJP has filed nominations in 152 seats, the Shiv Sena in 81 seats and the NCP in 54 seats – a total of 287 seats, and this includes the seats reserved for smaller parties in the alliance.
In the remaining seat, which could be the Sewri constituency in Mumbai, Mahayuti has not nominated a candidate to show his support to MNS leader Bala Nandgaonkar. He is up against Shiv Sena (UBT) vice-president Ajay Chowdhary, but the local BJP leader has filed his nomination as an independent.
For Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), there is clarity on the total of 285 seats, which includes eight seats for small alliance parties. Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray has filed nominations in 96 seats, Congress in 102 and NCP led by Sharad Pawar in 87. Currently, there is no information about the remaining three seats for the alliance, but this nomination data will be updated by the Election Commission website .
What is the matter with Maha Vikas Aghadi?
The opposition MVA has jointly announced a seat-sharing arrangement, aiming to present a united front. The three main parties – Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) – are dividing seats among themselves to strengthen their united stance.
Despite reaching this agreement, however, it faces a notable challenge from dual candidacy in at least five constituencies – Miraj, Sangola, South Solapur, Pandharpur and Paranda. The Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) have fielded their own candidates on the seat, creating internal competition and questioning its cohesion as an alliance.
This last-minute overlap was seen when candidates filed their nominations, with the Sena (UBT) issuing AB forms for all 96 shortlisted candidates on the last day. Analysts said this revealed unresolved issues that could affect the alliance’s performance, especially in close contests. He said the lack of single candidacy in certain areas could reduce the overall strength of the opposition alliance.
In Miraj, Tanaji Satpute of Sena (UBT) and Mohan Wankhade of Congress are contesting for the seat. Sangola presents a similar situation, with Sena (UBT)’s Deepak Aaba Salunkhe up against Shetkari Kamgar Paksha (Shekap) candidate Babasaheb Deshmukh.
In South Solapur, Congress candidate Dilip Mane and Sena (UBT) Amar Patil participated in the race. Pandharpur is likely to witness a contest between Congress candidate Bhagirath Bhalke against Anil Sawant of NCP (SP), while Paranda has Ranjit Patil of Sena (UBT) facing Rahul Mote of NCP (SP).
Each of these seats is very important, and the presence of dual candidates has the potential to split the vote, destroying the projection of a united front. The MVA’s decision to allocate eight seats to smaller parties adds another layer of complexity.
This arrangement is intended to create a broad coalition; however, five constituencies with dual candidates highlight the challenge of achieving full cohesion. This internal competition shows the potential weakness of efforts to consolidate votes in areas where the alliance plans to create a united front.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has come forward with a complete list of 96 candidates, showing the party’s commitment to its alliance partners. However, these overlapping candidacies have MVA supporters concerned.
MVA, however, has tried to downplay this issue suggesting that last minute discussions can resolve it. However, a second candidacy introduces an unexpected element of competition and, as the polls approach, their success will depend on their ability to maintain a cohesive strategy and overcome these challenges. The performance of the alliance will depend not only on the effectiveness of the campaign, but also on the ability to manage internal differences in the seats.
How is the scene of Sang Mahayuti?
As for Sang Mahayuti who ruled the rest, he faced the other weapons. The three main parties are facing a revolt in their ranks as those who have been denied tickets have challenged the leadership and filed nominations for the assembly polls.
The BJP, which has the largest number of candidates among the major parties, is struggling to manage the damage caused by insurgents in Mumbai as well as elsewhere. In Mumbai’s Borivali constituency, BJP’s official candidate Sanjay Upadhyay faces a challenge from former party MP Gopal Shetty.
Denied a ticket in the Lok Sabha as well as the state elections, Shetty has filed his nomination as an independent candidate. In Andheri, Swikruti Sharma – wife of ex-cop Pradip Sharma – has filed her nomination against Shinde-led Murji Patel and Shiv Sena’s (UBT) MLA Rutuja Latke. Pradip, who earlier contested from Vasai seat on Uddhav ticket, showed his continued involvement in regional politics through his wife’s candidature in this election.
While it is the deadline to submit nominations for the November 20 poll to the 288-member state assembly, candidate papers will be examined on Wednesday (October 30). November 4 is the last date for the total withdrawal of candidatures and after that a clear picture will appear on the number of rebels still left in the fray.
If the rebels and overlapping candidacies win, they will pose a significant challenge to the official candidate and potentially upset the polling arithmetic of the main contenders for power.
